Methodological procedure for the identification of individual tree species in four forest formations in the State of São Paulo, using orbital images from the Quickbird and Aster sensors

• Grant number: 05/56757-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: May 01, 2006
• End date: April 30, 2008
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Ecology - Applied Ecology
• Principal Investigator: Marcos César Ferreira
• Grantee: Marcos César Ferreira
• Host Institution: Instituto de Geociências (IG). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: Campinas

Abstract

The emergence of sensors with extremely high spatial resolution has made it possible for the level of detail on satellite images to reach the point at which studies of forest ecology can be undertaken based on information of forest individuals. The combination of images of high spectral, radiometric and temporal resolution increase the efficiency of these studies, given that it makes available far more information about the object under analysis. Such a research theme is a promising field, since the possibility of remotely studying individuals in a forest can contribute to greater agility and lower cost of forest management, minimizing field work to a large extent. This study proposes to investigate the potential of images from the Quickbird satellite, combined with the images from the Aster satellite, in the identification of tree individuals in four forest formations in the State of São Paulo. To achieve this, the study is linked to the thematic project Biota – diversity, dynamic and conservation in forest in the State of São Paulo: 40 ha of permanent plots, which already have field information on all the tree species in the plots studied, with all the individuals already marked and georeferenced. Immediately a database will be set up with spectral signatures of the canopy tree species studied in the four formations, which could assist in the identification of these species in other similar geographical locations, through satellite images. In addition to this, it is hoped, at the end of the research, to develop a methodology of remote sensing for floristic studies in the forest formations of the State of São Paulo. (AU)